11 places · Vietnam
Da Nang's icon: 666 metres of golden dragon stretched over the Han River. At night it shimmers with changing lights.
Time: Fire and water show on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:00
Insider tip: The dragon's head faces the sea, so stand near it. Just not in the front row: it's generous with the water 😄
A long city beach with soft sand. Locals swim here in the morning; by midday it's almost empty because of the heat.
Price: Free; sunbed prices are negotiable
Insider tip: The best times are 5:30 to 8:00 and after 16:00. A red flag means no swimming: the currents here are strong.
A covered market in the centre: coffee, dried fruit, souvenirs and fabric. Upstairs you'll find clothes and tailors.
Insider tip: Offer half the asking price and calmly walk away: they often call you back with a fair one.
A market for locals, not tourists. Inside is a food court with the most honest street food in town.
Insider tip: Eat wherever Vietnamese people are perched on tiny plastic stools. That's the only quality seal you need.
On the Son Tra Peninsula stands a 67-metre statue of the Goddess of Mercy, with views over the whole of Da Nang Bay.
Price: Free entry
Insider tip: Cover your shoulders and knees: it's a temple. You may meet monkeys on the way, so keep your snacks out of sight.
Five limestone peaks full of caves, pagodas and viewpoints. Inside the caves are altars lit by beams of light through the cracks.
Price: Entry is cheap; the lift is extra (check at the ticket desk)
Insider tip: Wear comfy shoes and bring water. The best cave is Huyen Khong: come before noon, when the light pours in from above.
A mountaintop park with a cable car, a "French village" and the famous bridge held up by giant stone hands.
Price: Pricey by local standards: a ticket including the cable car is about 900,000 ₫ (check the website)
Insider tip: Arrive at opening time: by 11:00 the bridge is packed, and fog often rolls in at the top. Bring a jumper: it's cool up there.
A night market at the east end of the Dragon Bridge: grilled seafood, rice paper snacks, mango with chilli and souvenirs. It moved in August 2025 and is now tidier.
Price: Free entry
Insider tip: Come by 8 pm on a Saturday or Sunday: at 9 pm the Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water right next to the market. Ask the seafood price before it goes on the grill.
A turquoise lagoon beyond the Hai Van Pass that few tourists ever reach.
🔒 Secret spot: details and the map pin are in the full guide
The road above the clouds made famous by Top Gear.
🔒 Secret spot: details and the map pin are in the full guide
Rocks carpeted in bright green moss, like another planet, 20 minutes from downtown.
🔒 Secret spot: details and the map pin are in the full guide